Archive · 24 Sep 2026
Kashmir Court Orders Reopening of Seminary Shut Under UAPA
A court in Kashmir has said that a religious school called Siraj-ul-Aloom can open again.
The school had been closed for five months.
The government had called it an unlawful entity under a law known as the UAPA.
The school asked the court to let it reopen.
The court agreed through an interim order.
However, the school will be supervised by a committee.
The committee will include district and education officials, along with a respected local person.
The case shows that the school may reopen while supervision arrangements are in place.
A J&K court ordered Siraj-ul-Aloom seminary to reopen five months after its closure.
The government had declared the seminary an “unlawful entity” under the UAPA.
Siraj-ul-Aloom is described as one of south Kashmir’s largest educational seminaries.
The order was issued by District Judge Shopian Mehmood Ahmad Chowdhary.
A committee will supervise the seminary, including officials and a reputable district resident.
- Who
- Siraj-ul-Aloom seminary, the J&K government, and the District Court in Shopian.
- What
- The court ordered the reopening of a seminary previously declared an unlawful entity under the UAPA.
- When
- The order came five months after the seminary was declared unlawful.
- Where
- Shopian, in south Kashmir.
- Why
- The seminary petitioned the court for reopening; the court ordered it to resume operations under committee supervision.
Court-Ordered Reopening
Government Action
Seminary’s legal status
Court-Ordered Reopening
The court ordered Siraj-ul-Aloom to reopen after considering the seminary’s petition.
Government Action
The government had declared the institution an “unlawful entity” under the UAPA.
Future supervision
Court-Ordered Reopening
The seminary can resume operations under oversight by a committee that includes education and district representatives.
Government Action
The court’s committee arrangement adds supervision to the institution’s reopening after the government’s action.
- Institution
- Siraj-ul-Aloom
- Status before ruling
- Declared an “unlawful entity” under the UAPA
- Closure period
- Five months
- Court
- District Court, Shopian
- Order
- Interim order directing the seminary’s reopening
- Oversight
- A committee with district administration, education department, and a reputable district representative